Swimming apparatus



Jufly 3Q, 1935. I u 2,009,551

SWIMMING AP ARATUS Filed March 14, 1935 \NVENTOR I Zz'rfzard Haiku!ATTORN EY Patented July 30, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ApplicationMarch 14,

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in swimming apparatus,particularly an apparatus for supporting persons, who do not know how toswim, when bathing or enjoying water sports, to prevent their drowning,and for imparting to them a certain security in the water.

It is the principal object of my invention to provide a swimmingapparatus which, besides keeping persons afloat, will allow theirpropulsion so that they may safely reach land in case of danger.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a swimming apparatusof comparatively simple and therefore inexpensive construction, yetdurable and highly eflicient in use.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of a swimmingapparatus embodying inflatible, interconnected members, which besidestheir buoyant quality serve as propelling means also, so that anon-swimmer, particularly when using a body float, can keep himselfabove water and save himself by reaching land.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a swimmingapparatus serving to the amusement for young and old, and equipped withmeans to inflate the buoyant bodies, and so constructed that upon thedeflation of said bodies, it may be safely and conveniently carriedalong.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a swimmingapparatus using as buoyant members hollow metal balls or bodies of othersuitable material and shape, and which may be equipped with suitablefins or paddles to assist in the propulsion.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will become morefully known as the description thereof proceeds, and will then bespecifically defined in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 illustrates in perspective view a swimming apparatus constructedaccording to my invention in operation.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of my swimming apparatus, partly in section.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional detail view of a valve.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail, sectional view of a modified form ofbuoyant element.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective View of a modification showing oneof the buoyant members equipped with a fin or paddle.

As illustrated, my swimming apparatus is com.-

1935, Serial No. 10,996

posed of two substantially oblong hollow bodies I0 and II which areconnected by means of a rod I2 or the like, these bodies, however mayhave any desired contour, and. may be made of any suitable material.Each of the bodies I U and II is made in two halves connected with theirflanges as indicated at M.

Within each of these bodies l0 and H, is contained a buoyant, inflatablemember I3 which may be of any suitable material and shape. These bodiesare inflated by means of air from an air pump or by any other suitablemeans. If inflated from an air pump this is done by the intermediary ofa suitable valve, generally designated is including the well knownnipple I6 and cap I! of the customary construction, not forming part ofthis invention.

It will be clear that any number of such buoyant, inflatable bodies ormembers may be enclosed in each of the bodies It! and l l and connectedin suitable manner.

As shown in Figure 6, the bodies l0 and l I may be replaced by hollow,substantially ball-shaped buoyant members I8 connected by a rod Hi.

In order to facilitate the swimming and propulsion the outwardlyextending ends of the rods l2 and 19 may be equipped with fins orpaddles 20 of the shape shown or any other suitable shape.

The use of my swimming apparatus will greatly be enhanced by thesimultaneous use of a belt 2| placed about the body of the swimmer, andhaving secured to its ends buoyant members 22, 23 of any suitable shape.

In practice the members 22, 23 are placed about the body by means oftheir connecting belt 2| to keep the body afloat, and the swimmer takinghold of the rods l2 or l9 will be able to keep the head above water andby. using the apparatus in the manner indicated in Figure 1 will be ableto propel himself until reaching land, thus illustrating the use of mydevice as a life saving apparatus primarily intended for nonswimmers butalso greatly contributing to the safety and amusement of expertswimmers.

It will be understood that I have described and shown the preferredforms of my device as examples only of the many possible ways topractically construct the same, and that I may make such changes in thegeneral arrangement of my swimming apparatus and in the construction ofits minor details, as come within the scope of the appended claimwithout departure from the spirit of my invention and the principleinvolved.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

A swimming apparatus comprising two hollow 5 bodies each made in twohalves, flanges on each of the halves to unite the same to form saidbodies, an inflatable member in each of said bodies, a rod connectingboth bodies, and valves on said rod controlling the inflation of saidmembers, said rod and bodies contributing to the use of the apparatus asmeans to propel the same.

RICHARD HUEBNER.

